How to fight the red spider mite in your homes? Here are some useful remedies

Index

Tetranychus urticae vs Trombidium holosericeum

Why fear this little mite? 

Where do spider mites come from? 

How to eliminate the red spider mite from balconies, marble, terraces and  windows? 

When you hear about spider mites, you immediately think of the damage that these tiny  mites (scientifically known as Tetranychus urticae) can cause to our  balcony plants, ornamental plants or our vegetables, causing holes in the leaves,  decreasing their color or producing cobwebs. 

In reality, the red spider mite that invades your homes during these summer periods, colonizing your  balconies or walking on your windows has nothing to do with the Tetranychus urticae, nor  with the damage it can cause. 

How to recognize the differences and how to eliminate the red spider mite from your terraces? 

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Let's correctly identify spider mites: 

1. Tetranychus urticae vs Trombidium holosericeum

Usually, during spring and summer, you can find the walls of your houses  or outdoor environments invaded by very small individuals, similar to insects, bright red in color and  a maximum of two millimeters long. Especially if there are ornamental plants  in these domestic spaces, then you can be frightened, thinking that you are in the presence of a Tetranychus urticae, commonly called red spider mite and very dangerous for the well-being of vegetables and plants in  general. 

In reality, the spider mites you see have nothing in common with plant mites. What are  the differences? 

Tetranychus urticae is a polyphagous mite, invisible to the  naked eye, capable of infecting most fruit plants, vegetables, ornamental and herbaceous tree plants,  causing numerous damages. In this case, the main problem of the red spider mite is  related to its larvae which, when they start feeding on the plant, take away  its nutrient, causing holes in the leaves. 

The Trombidium holosericeum, the red spider mite that you can often see outside your  homes, despite its very small size (1-2 mm, with a maximum of 5  mm) is visible to the naked eye. Its body is covered with thick bright red  hair and is absolutely harmless to plants, people and animals. Contrary to what one  might think, feeding on larvae and insects harmful to plants, Trombidium  holosericeum could be considered an excellent ally. 

2. Why fear this little mite?

The only negative characteristic of Trombidium holsericeum is given by the intense  red pigment (hemolymph), which comes out when the red spider mite is crushed. The hemolymph machine  almost indelibly clothes, walls and any type of home décor.

3. Where do spider mites come from?

During the winter months, these tiny mites tend to hide in walls, cracks in  walls or wooden window frames. With the arrival of summer, as temperatures  rise, red spider mites come out en masse from their hiding places, positioning themselves in the most sunlit places . In the northern regions, the appearance of Trombidium holsericeum begins in March (it is possible to  see these small red spider mites even in February, but only in case  of excessively mild temperatures). However, their highest presence is found in  the months of May, June and July, on sunny days and almost always during the morning hours. 

4. How to eliminate the red spider mite from balconies, marble, terraces and windows?

Which product to use to fight the red spider mite? In this case, chemical control is not among  the most recommended choices. Trombidium holosericium, in fact, is not really an insect, but an  arachnid. Therefore, the use of chemicals, in addition to being harmful to the environment, would be ineffective and could contribute to the increase in the spread of the red spider mite. Arachnids, in fact,  adapt very quickly to chemical threats and develop numerous immunities to  pesticides. 

Therefore, in the case of continuous and massive presence of red spider mites, we advise you to intervene organically , through nettle-based repellent products. 

For small surfaces, the product we recommend is: 

• Cifotris Bio nettle extract

In the event that the area to be protected is larger, the product we recommend is:

• Nettle Vebi